Thank you to all our patrons who helped us have a very successful run with this show!

An irreverent history of the Irish through the tumultuous 20th and 21st centuries through the eyes of Pulitzer Prize winning author, Frank McCourt (Angela’s Ashes, ‘Tis, Teacher Man). McCourt’s razor sharp wit, coupled with his trademark bitter irony, and his boundless love for the Irish People are all underscored by glorious music extending all the way from the auld Irish folk ballades, through George M. Cohan’s patriotic love songs to America, World War II standards sung in movies, USOs and foxholes all over the world, and including the latest from contemporary Ireland’s U2.

Morgan Crowley (Morgan) *Award-winning Dublin-born Morgan Crowley has enjoyed a diverse career since graduating with a Masters Degree (MBA) from Trinity College Dublin and subsequent studies at RADA (London) and Lee Strasberg Institute (Hollywood).

His theatre credits (Broadway, West-End and international) include Cirque du Soleil, Phantom of the Opera, Playboy of The Western World, Chicago, Riverdance, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Scrooge, Case of the Frightened Lady, Les Miserables, West Side Story, Cabaret, A Grand Night For Singing, Abbey Theatre Writers’ Festival 2010, Prometeo, Carousel, The Magic Flute, Ariodante, The Waiters Revenge, Street Scene and several world premieres.

Other career highlights include a Grammy-nominated live CD recording, appearances at Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, Covent Garden Royal Opera (London), Sydney Opera House, The Academy Awards, Friday Night is Music Night (BBC), Cleo Laine & John Dankworth West End Gala, presenting his own cabaret in five countries (including Feinsteins in New York, for which he won wide acclaim and the re-opening in 2010 of renowned hotel The Savoy in London), featuring as an aerial artist in MTV Awards Berlin, recording with Kylie Minogue for Australian phenomenon The Wiggles, and singing for Royalty, Presidents and other Heads of State worldwide.

He has just released his fifth solo album “as large as alone”, available on iTunes and www.morgancrowley.com

Michael McDermott (Michael) *Michael McDermott is excited to be returning to the stage at The Ivoryton Playhouse once again. This is Michael’s second time returning to The Irish and How They Got That Way, from the 2006 production The Playhouse put on. He was last scene in Ivoryton’s 2007 production of Moon Over Buffalo. He recently just performed at The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook, playing the role of “George” in the American Classic play Our Town, by Thorton Wilder. Michael currently studies voice with internationally known singer and actress Ms. Marni Nixon. Michael is so grateful for the opportunity once again to be in this fabulously fun and poignant show. Cead Mile Failte.

Kathleen Mulready (Kathleen) *Kathleen Mulready is so pleased to be back at the Ivoryton Playhouse after last being seen as Sharon in Finian’s Rainbow. Regional/Tour credits include: Beauty and the Beast (Babette), It’s a Wonderful Life (Mary Hatch), Evita (Mistress), Gulf View Drive (Treva), The Man Who Came to Dinner (June Stanley), The Vagina Monologues, The Golden Apple (Figurehead), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, They’re Playing Our Song, Oh Mr. Sousa (soloist). Kathleen holds a Master’s in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory and a B.A in Music from Tufts University. Opera credits include La Fee in Cendrillon and the Dew Fairy in Hansel and Gretel. Slàinte! kathleenmulready.com

Directed by: Jacqueline Hubbard

Stage Manager: T. Rick Jones *

Musical Director: John DeNicola

Set Design: William Stark

Lighting Design: Doug Harry

Costume Design: Vickie Blake

* member of Actors Equity

The Irish…and How They Got That Way opened on Friday March 18th to a packed house. Malachy McCourt, Frank’s brother and a renowned author and raconteur, was the special guest of the evening and he stayed after the performance to chat with patrons and sign copies of his latest book.

Mr. McCourt was also the Grand Marshal of the Essex Go Bragh Parade and Festival on Saturday March 19th.

An Interview with Morgan Crowley

New Photos Just Added – March 16

Photos courtesy of Anne Hudson

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PRESS RELEASE

A little bit of blarney opens 2011 season!

The Irish….and How They Got That Wayby Frank McCourt at The Ivoryton Playhouse

Ivoryton: The long winter is almost over and the green of spring is showing up all over the Shoreline. But nowhere will it be more Emerald Green that at the Ivoryton Playhouse when the 100th birthday season opens on March 16th with Frank McCourt’s perennially popular The Irish…and How They Got That Way. First produced at the Playhouse in 2007, the show was such a tremendous success that extra performances had to be added and we are thrilled to bring it back as part of our Centennial year.

THE IRISH…AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY is an irreverent history of the Irish through the tumultuous 20th and 21st centuries through the eyes of Pulitzer Prize winning author, Frank McCourt (Angela’s Ashes, ‘Tis, Teacher Man). McCourt’s razor sharp wit, coupled with his trademark bitter irony, and his boundless love for the Irish people are all underscored by glorious music extending all the way from the auld Irish folk ballads, through George M. Cohan’s patriotic love songs to America – World War II standards sung in movies, USOs and foxholes all over the world – and ending with music from contemporary Ireland’s U2.

This unique piece of theatre is a wonderful Irish stew of poetry, song, dance, and yes, history, that is sure to have you leaving the theatre with a smile on your face and a song in your heart. We promise that after an evening filled with everything from W.B. Yeats to the classic Danny Boy, you’ll come away with a bounty of newfound knowledge and a happy heart. Join us on Friday March 18th for a special post show celebration with Malachy McCourt, Frank’s brother and a renowned author and raconteur. Malachy will also be Grand Marshal of the Essex Go Bragh Parade on Saturday March 19th.

Ivoryton’s Producing Artistic Director, Jacqueline Hubbard directs this production with John DeNicola as Musical Director and Morgan Crowley* – five year veteran of the stage show Riverdance and regular performer with The Irish Tenors. Annie Kerins*, Michael McDermott* and Kathleen Mulready* complete the cast. Set design by Bill Stark, lighting by Doug Harry, and costumes by Vickie Blake.

THE IRISH…AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY runs thru April 3rd. Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm. Tickets are $40 for adults, $35 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children. Call the box office at 860.767.7318 or visit our website at http://www.ivorytonplayhouse.org (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.

Members of the press are welcome at any performance. Please call ahead for tickets.

*member of Actors Equity

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Did YouKnow

Frank McCourt was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Irish immigrant parents. Unable to find work in the Depression, the McCourts returned to Ireland, where they sunk deeper into the poverty McCourt describes so movingly in his memoir, Angela's Ashes. Three of the seven children died of diseases aggravated by malnutrition and the squalor of their surroundings. Frank McCourt himself nearly died of typhoid fever when he was ten.